Soccer uniforms say a lot about the team that wears them – they symbolize a team’s history, its unity and its team spirit. But before you go getting carried away with designing your team soccer uniforms, it pays to know what the latest regulations for soccer uniforms for kids are.
High School Soccer Uniform Regulations
The US Soccer Federation, which acts as the governing body for all forms of soccer in the USA, recently laid down the following guidelines for high school team’s soccer uniforms for the 2012 fall high school soccer season:
Basic Requirements
High school team soccer uniforms must consist of the following: Jersey, shorts, socks, soccer shoes or boots, and shin guards that are appropriate to the age and size of the player wearing them.
According to FIFA rules, the socks and jerseys worn by the opposing teams should be of different, contrasting colors. Should a situation arise where the two teams wear similar colors, the home team is obligated to wear different team soccer uniforms that don’t clash.
One recent addition to the new rules, introduced at the beginning of the 2012 fall season, is that home teams, although they can still choose any color, are required to wear light-colored soccer uniforms for kids, while away teams should wear dark colors. US Soccer said that this stipulation was designed to prevent any confusion arising.
Shin Guards
US Soccer stipulates that every player must wear shin guards underneath their socks for safety reasons. These should be worn at a height of no more than two inches above the ankle. Shin guards are required to meet NOCSAE specifications.
Logos, Numbers and Trademarks
High school team soccer uniforms are allowed to display the trademark and/or logo of the uniform manufacturer only, sponsors are not permitted. Trademarks and logos of manufacturers must not be greater than 2.25 inches, and they can only appear once on each article of clothing.
School symbols and crests are permitted, and these can be emblazoned all articles of clothing in high school soccer uniforms, so long as the symbol or crest doesn’t interfere with the visibility of the jersey’s number.
Each player must display a unique number on his or her jersey, and this should be displayed on the front and back – a minimum of 4 inches high on the front and 6 inches high on the back.
Accessories
Some accessories are allowed with soccer uniforms for kids. These include padded headbands, sweatbands and soft caps. In addition, players are also permitted to wear items such as plaster casts and braces with their soccer uniforms, so long as these have sufficient padding to ensure the safety of both the wearer and other players.
The Soccer Outfitter 